Orioles vs Reds Preview: Independence Day showdown

Hunter Greene makes his season debut for Cincinnati on Saturday. The hard-throwing righty is back after elbow surgery and looked sharp in rehab games. He threw 82 pitches in his last practice start. Baltimore sends Brandon Young to the mound. Both teams need wins badly. The Orioles sit at 40-48. The Reds are 40-46. Yesterday, Baltimore's bats woke up. Basallo rocketed a two-run homer to left-center field. The Orioles shut out Cincinnati 3-0. Now it's Greene's turn to answer back on Independence Day at Great American Ball Park.

The Orioles have momentum rolling into Saturday. They won Friday 3-0 thanks to some clutch hitting. Basallo smashed that home run to left-center. Ward stole third base. Henderson scored on a throwing error by Cincinnati's catcher. Baltimore's offense is hungry. The team's record sits 40-48, and they need every win they can grab. On the road, they're fighting to stay in the hunt. One win turns into two wins, then three. That's how you climb back into a race. Can Baltimore keep this hot streak alive against Hunter Greene?

Hunter Greene is Cincinnati's main star. His return from surgery is huge for the Reds' pitching staff. The rotation has been thin without him. Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo have carried the load. Greene threw 82 pitches in his final rehab appearance. Managers think he's ready for a full workload. Cincinnati's record is 40-46 at home. They sit at 19-22. The team needs its ace healthy and strong. Greene's comeback on Independence Day gives Reds fans real hope. Can he shut down Baltimore's bats after yesterday's victory?